Reno-Tahoe, Nevada Family Vacation

If your family is the slightest bit outdoorsy, they'll love Lake Tahoe. The breathtaking scenery lives up to its reputation, and the sun shines virtually every day. It's never humid -- and not terribly hot, either. And while there's plenty to do (you could entertain the kids for a week here, easily), there's not much rushing around, so you'll leave feeling refreshed and relaxed.

People visit Lake Tahoe in the winter for just one reason: to ski. But during the summer months (June through September), you can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, and many more outdoor activities. Sure, you'll have to tolerate a bazillion other vacationing families, but the pleasant temperatures -- and the fact that more local activities are up and running during the summer -- makes this season the optimal time to visit.

Lake Tahoe enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. During summer, the daytime temperatures rarely get above 80 degrees and the humidity is very low. At night, however, temperatures often drop into the 40s; be sure to bring an extra layer for everyone. Winters can be bitterly cold, with averages of 41F/15F in December, January, and February. Spring and fall are moderate, but still cool. Get more weather info.

Most major airlines fly into Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO). Once you're there, it's about an hour to Tahoe City (on the northwest side of the lake) and about the same distance to South Lake Tahoe (on the south side of the lake). Lake Tahoe is four hours from San Francisco and two-hour drive from Sacramento. Many hotels offer airport shuttle service, but you will need to make reservations in advance.

Traveling by car lets you take in all the scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe, so consider driving or renting one at the airport. Parking is easy, although some lots in the area require small fees.

If you're visiting Lake Tahoe in August, be prepared for the huge crowds (by some estimates, 800,000 visitors!) that descend on the Reno/Tahoe region for Hot August Nights, a vintage car "show" that draws hot-rod enthusiasts from around the world.

VisitLakeTahoe.com offers visitor information for both the California and Nevada sides of the lake.

The Summer Tahoe Card is $25 and includes a lift ticket at Northstar Resort and one at Kirkwood (for mountain biking), a free kayak rental, and a bike rental. Winter Tahoe Cards have discounted lift tickets and snowboard rental packages. Check out SnowBomb.com for more information.

• Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and the third deepest lake on the continent, maxing out at 1,645 feet.
• The water in Lake Tahoe is clear to an average depth of 75 feet.
• The lake covers more than 190 square miles. If it were emptied, all of its water would cover the entire state of California in 14.5 inches of water.
• Bike riders should devote a full day for riding around the lake: there are 71 miles of shoreline.
• While American Indians have lived around Lake Tahoe for thousands of years, the first European American to see the lake was probably John C. Fremont, who explored the area with Kit Carson.